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Police National Computer

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government which non-police prosecuting agencies have access to the Police National Computer via the Association of Chief Police Officer's Criminal Records Office; and what records are kept about, and audit made of, the use these agencies make of that facility.

Lord Bates: The ACRO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) does not provide direct access to the PNC. The following organisations are provided with information from the Police National Computer via ACRO: • Department for Business Innovation and Skills • Civil Aviation Authority • Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority • Environment Agency • Food Standards Agency • Gambling Commission • Maritime and Coastguard Agency • Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency • Middlesbrough Borough Council • Natural Resources Wales • Natural England • Office of Communication • Office of Rail Regulation • Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • Security Industry Authority • Serious Fraud Office (Intelligence) • TM Eye LtdIn order to use the service, non-police prosecuting agencies are required to submit a business case to ACRO that identifies the legal gateway for their need to access information held on the PNC, and the purpose for which the information will be used. The process is that, if agreed, a formal Information Sharing Agreement is drawn up setting out process arrangements, transmission requirements and relevant information management details.Different levels of service are offered by ACRO. In the first instance, the non-police prosecuting agency is provided with information to assist with conduct of their investigation and latterly, should they decide to bring a prosecution, provided with information required by the prosecution, the defence and the court to support relevant criminal justice processes. ACRO’s use of the PNC is audited by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Immigration Rules

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to publish the full consolidated Immigration Rules in their current amended form.

Lord Bates: The full consolidated Immigration Rules in their current amended form are already published on GOV.UK.